The Tail

The tail offers a good opportunity to get a snap shot of the rats muscle tone and hydration levels. Generally a rats tail seems to be one of the last areas to receive important nutrients such as protein, given it is an extremity and whilst useful to a rat, not in constant motion like the legs this makes sense. The fact the tail is also not covered in a thick layer of fur means that its overall shape and condition is easier to spot than say the hind quarters which can also be an early warning sign for muscle tone. The lack of fur also means that you can get a good general indication of skin health and condition as well as the tail skin health itself. When assessing your rats tail condition try running your fingers over it lightly, to get a feel of the skin quality, if its dry, or behaving normally. You can also feel irregular scales, lumps and bumps. Then have a look at it over all, starting at the base, where square tail is normally most evident, moving to the tip where damage, kinks etc. are more likely. Pay particular attention to the top of the tail, as this is where square edging is most obvious.

Positive Signs

Well rounded tail – this is where the cross section of the tail is round or oval, there are no clear corners or edges to it and it looks and feels full.

Good tail “feel” – the tail feels smooth when stroked down towards the tip, there isn’t any sign of dryness or lumpiness, all scales are even and flat. Note: a rex rats tail will feel rougher than a smooth coated rats tail due to the slight curl on the tail hair.

Negative Signs

A fairly square or matchstick tail

Square tail (or matchstick tail) – this is where a rats tail is very narrow at the base and has a very square cross section (hence the name matchstick tail). It is more normal in young rats from poor backgrounds, but even older rats raised for a long time without the nutrients they need will develop this. It is an extreme case of square edged tail and happens when a rat doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to build muscle tone on the tail, often these rats are small or skinny in body too, though where a rat has had a very bad start, then been fed well later on , they can be plump or a nice build with a matchstick tail. If caught earlier you can often compensate for at least some of the deficiency, first by looking at the overall amount fed, then at its protein content, then oil/fat and finally for any vitamin deficiencies.

Square edged tail – this is similar to a square tail but a much milder state. The tail has slight edges to it, so is closer to a trapezium or rectangle cross section (think the cross section of a Yorkie or gold bar), the edges are still curved but there is a definite edge to it. This is essentially saying that at that time of life the rat has slightly less than it needs to grow at its maximum potential. For the long term health of the rat this is generally a good thing and in young rats particularly it is normal and not a fault. Aiming to alternate between a square edged tail and a round one without going as far as a true square tail is a good way to feed young rats to give them the best chance of living long healthy lives without having a tendency to get fat easily. When a rat is in this state then adding a few couple high protein meals to give them a short term protein boost works well. If this doesn’t improve it then look at the square tail section and work through those options.

Scaly Tail – This is where the scales on a rats tail are older and so lit up a little, feel rough and look yellowish (or mucky as they trap dirt easily). It often gives the tail a dry or rough feel; it is usually caused by a combination of a lack or personal hygiene, imbalance of oil in the diet and sometimes a shortage of protein too. In some cases though there can be a skin infection present.